Russia suspected of plot to send incendiary devices on planes bound for US

Russian officials have been accused of plotting to plant incendiary devices appearing to be electric massagers onto planes headed across the Atlantic although the country's officials have denied being behind it

Russia is suspected of being behind a plot to place incendiary devices to set fire to planes bound for the US and Canada, according to reports.

The claims come after several incendiary devices ignited at DHL logistics hubs in Leipzig, Germany, and Birmingham in the UK in July. The incidents led to a huge operation to find who was behind the acts of the potentially-deadly plot.

The devices are understood to have been electric massagers that had magnesium-based flammable substances that were sent to the UK via Lithuania. According to The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), the devices "appear to have been a test run to figure out how to get such incendiary devices aboard planes bound for North America."A DHL spokesperson previously told The Mirror regarding the incident in Birmingham: "DHL Express Europe is taking risk mitigation actions to secure its network, staff and assets as well as customer shipments by implementing strengthened security measures across the European countries as a reaction to ongoing investigations by authorities from several countries."

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson previously confirmed to The Mirror that counter-terrorism officials were investigating the incident in Birmingham. "On Monday, 22 July, a package at the location caught alight. It was dealt with by staff and the local fire brigade at the time and there were no reports of any injuries or significant damage caused.

"Due to the circumstances, and the specialist capability and expertise in investigating such matters, the investigation is being led by officers from the Met's Counter Terrorism Command with support from colleagues from Counter Terrorism Policing West Midlands.

"The investigation remains ongoing and there have been no arrests in our investigation at this time. As part of our enquiries, officers are liaising with other European law enforcement partners to identify whether this may or may not be connected to any other similar-type incidents across Europe. As always, if anyone is concerned about any suspicious package or item, then they should report it immediately to police by calling 999."

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov denied the allegations when asked for comment by the WSJ, adding: "We have never heard any official accusations." He continued: "These are traditional unsubstantiated insinuations from the media." A US government official told CNN that "at this time, there is no current active threat targeting US-bound flights." Last month, Polish authorities were apprehended under suspicion of bieng involved in international sabotage and a sabotage group.

Officials are now searching for two more suspects in connection with the incidents. A Polish official said the parcels contained camouflaged explosives and dangerous materials" that were sent to the UK and European Union countries. The parcels then "spontaneously ignited or detonated during land and air transport."